Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Today's Special - - Dee Tenorio



Today, it's our pleasure to welcome Dee Tenorio back to The Romance Dish. This talented author has more than ten published romances to her credit spanning the sub-genres of contemporary, paranormal mystery/suspense and romantic comedy. Her newest, DECEIVING THE PROTECTOR, second in her Resurrection paranormal-suspense (with Shifters!) series was recently released by Carina Press and has been garnering rave reviews. Please welcome Dee as she blogs about...






Writing Dark For Fun

You may not believe this, but when I was growing up...folks used to think I was weird. I know, shocking. Granted, I was pretty out there. Crazy hair, non-conformity issues and a great big go-to-hell-if-you-don't-like-me attitude. Yup, I was a peach! But those weren't the reasons other kids thought I was weird. That came straight from my reading. I had a thing for Stephen King when I was ten. Went on a Dean Koontz bender by age 12. At 14 I was a total goner for VC Andrews—of course, who wasn't, right? Then I found James Patterson and there was no going back. Nowadays I'd be called "Emo", I'm sure, but that wouldn't fit because the truth is, I just love a great, dark story and all those books gave me the time of my life.

It's probably no surprise, then, that I've found a place in suspense novels as my career has continued.

It gives me a fun thrill to write suspense and I'll tell you why. I like my characters are dark and edgy, with histories that are designed to be complicated. I love complicated. Nothing in this world is meant to be easy and much of it is about doing what you have to, not what would be easiest. In fact, easy is generally pretty hard to write. It comes off as silly when plot points are too simple or too pat. The real fun is in coming up with something that explains a feature of the world building. Like making a delicious chocolate cupcake for a choco shop—it's gotta look as good as it smells or folks won't enjoy it and I really want you all to enjoy what I write.

The other nice thing about writing dark—part of what makes it so fun anyway—is that you don't have limits. If you want to go darker, there's always room to change. Throw in a mystery, find a dead body, get a richer and richer character history. You can really weave in those fathoms that give depth. Lighter stories can and should have some depth, but give too much and you throw off the balance, meaning the entire story would have to change depending on your details. I've just never been good at having limitations.



Readers always know what they want in each type of genre. You have to respect those desires and give them what they ask for. Like the dark outlines of a coloring book image. A suspense in general usually requires a world view that is full of shadows in which to search for clues or comparisons. Paranormals seem to be twice as dark. So, my stories, which are both, have to be embroidered with those colors and tastes. I have to admit, I really love that challenge. I love the prospect of taking what people expect, what they demand, and twisting it just that tiny little bit to make it new and unexpected. That probably makes me a little bit twisted, but what's life without a little challenge, eh?

So how about you tell me. Do you like dark stories? Or is lighter fare where you find your fun?

Deceiving The Protector
Resurrection Series, Book 2 (Stand Alone Book)

Author: Dee Tenorio
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Heat Level: sensual
Publisher: Carina Press
ISBN: 978-142680-9205-9
Price: 5.99
Word Count: 88k
Release Date: August 15, 2011

You can order the book from Carina Press here and read an excerpt here.




Back cover blurb:

The mate he never wanted may be the woman he can never have...


After a series of murders is discovered along the trail of the Shifter Underground, wolf soldier Jensen Tate is assigned to find and protect a missing stray. But Lia Crawford doesn't seem to want his protection. When she eludes his watch and returns with mysterious injuries, Tate knows she's hiding something. To discover her secrets, he'll have to win her trust...and get closer to the woman he thinks may be his mate.


Lia has reasons to keep her distance. The killer is haunting her steps, determined to claim her. He will come after them both if he sees how drawn she is to Tate, though it becomes increasingly difficult to deny her attraction to him. Protecting Tate is vital – but will her deception cost her his love?

Connect with Dee at the following locations:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
MySpace
YouTube



11 comments:

  1. Good morning and welcome back, Dee! We're happy to have you with us. Congrats on the new release!

    As for me, I prefer light reads, usually. I sometimes mix it up with a complex, dark read, but I just can't read those all the time. However, my tastes run different when it comes to chocolate...the darker, the better. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Dee! Thanks for visiting with us today. What a great trailer! It makes me even more anxious to read this book. :)

    I like to mix up my reading. There are days when only a light story filled with laughter will do and others when I crave dark, complicated stories full of danger and angst. Happily, there are plenty of both from which to choose!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Dee,
    I definitely prefer dark reads because I like when the couple have to overcome something. Their journey towards HEA isn't easy but that is what makes it all the more worthwhile and satisfying for me. I do like dark reads to have some light parts. Sense of humour is an important character trait and it can relieve tension found in dark stories. I do also enjoy light reads, it's nice to have laugh out loud moments in books.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks ladies!! And an extra thanks to PJ! I hope you enjoy it when you get around to reading. :)

    You know, it's funny. I can read a happier book when I'm happy. But I can't read a happy book when I'm even slightly moody. I do love a great funny book, though. :) But somehow, those dark ones always pull me in, no matter my mood. I think it explains why my friend likes to call me her lil black raincloud, lol. :)

    Dee

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Na! I think we simulposted!

    Oh yes, I need my humor at all times. I crack jokes even in the ER, lol.

    Hubby says there's something a little wrong with me, but hey, he's the one in love with me, so really...there's something wrong with HIM, yes? Yes. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dee said, Oh yes, I need my humor at all times. I crack jokes even in the ER, lol.

    I've done that too! Doctors aren't quite sure what to make of half-conscious patients with a wacky sense of humor. *grin*

    ReplyDelete
  7. The video is very well done, a great hook.

    I am still sampling the wide variety of paranormal stories out there. So far, the shifter stories appeal the most. This one sounds intriguing.

    As far as light or dark stories, it depends on the mood I'm in. I like a story with some substance to it. A little darkness is fine. It adds credibility, complexity, character, and suspense to the telling. There are times when I like a bit of light, paranormal fun. No darkness wanted in those stories.
    It sounds like you have a winner here. I will have to check this series, and especially this book, out.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm very happy to indulge in both light & dark reads. It really depends upon what strikes my fancy at the time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Dee, the shifter paranormal is a genre I enjoy a great deal. I love a quirky sense of humor included with the darker side of such a story. That kind of comic relief keeps the interest of the reader when the mood is a little darker than usual.

    I'm also with you and PJ on the ER attitude. I joke around with my unfortunately large assortment of doctors just to keep up my own spirits about my health issues.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like to mix my reading up, both light and dark and genres.

    ReplyDelete
  11. PJ—Yup, my doctors always check if I'm on meds a few times more than they need to, lol. After a while, they get used to me, though. :)

    LibraryPat—Thanks so much on the video compliment! I hope that if you do pick up either of the Resurrection books, you'll enjoy them. :)

    Marybelle—I definitely think there's room in life for light and dark.

    fsbuchler—YAY, always glad to meet another paranormal fan! :) Even more so, meet another ER buddy. :) Here's ot avoiding that place like the plague.

    Anne—I'm a genre stirrer myself. I guess I enjoy the contrast. :)

    Hugs all! And thanks for sharing your time with me!!
    Dee

    ReplyDelete